The 13 Days of Soulcrate: Keep Hope Dead

Beginning as an anthem with the battle cry "They're tryna keep hope dead" in time with a solitary snare, one would expect a solemn song of injustice, but this song evolves into an uplifting mix of horns and upbeat verses. Both emcee's unleash their stories of pursuing and pressing on all to a dance-friendly beat and echoing claps, staying true to their vow to liberate from average. This song is a valid addition to The Heartland Panic, showing their skills in creating an anthem without sounding redundant or preachy. Definitely a jam that will be played in my hooptie piece of shit... if I ever fix the cd player!



Soulcrate Music
The Heartland Panic
In Stores 3/9/2010
Black Clover, distro by Fat Beats.

All Tracks Produced By: DJ Absolute
All Words By: Attn:Def & Dirt Dee






Keys-Jonathon Hegg
Trombone-Joel Broveleit
Saxophone-Matt Wallace
Guitar-Xopher Smith
Vocals And Guitar-Nick Thomas

The Thirteen Days of Soulcrate: Electric Heavy Glow

On the fourth day of SOULCRATE my headphones gave to me.....

DRUUUUUUUUUMS!

Perhaps I'm partial to a damn good drum beat due to my deep roots in percussion, but this song is off the bloody hook!! (One of my favorite sticking techniques is a dulled, single-stick drum roll on the snare -- which you can hear every other measure of this song). The heavy hovering over the trio of hi-hat, bass & snare, complemented by electric guitar, will set you up for people to look at you sideways when you've got your ear buds in, in public-- First the knee bend, then head nod and the swaying back & forth...


These guys are going pretty hard on this track, spitting some bold lyrics in yo' face! Now, the two have always had a unique style of flow that can essentially be heard throughout most verses in their songs. Its what would allow one to differentiate between them and other artists in a "name that group"-type listener response. But with this song, they tend to step aside from that at moments to branch out and try something new; it certainly works for them. You will feel the glow from the fiery blaze left after the songs time has run out, 'cause this song is FIYAH!


"Oooooooooh"... and by the end of the song, this fairly simple yet fun hook will have you join in unison. If you're trying to jam out, I say go grab the album March 9th and skip to track 4;

"Get set, Ready, GO!!"

Soulcrate Music
The Heartland Panic
In Stores 3/9/2010
Black Clover, distro by Fat Beats.

All Tracks Produced By: DJ Absolute
All Words By: Attn:Def & Dirt Dee

Supplemental Instrumentation:
Keys-Jonathon Hegg
Trombone-Joel Broveleit
Saxophone-Matt Wallace
Guitar-Xopher Smith
Vocals And Guitar-Nick Thomas

The Thirteen Days of Soulcrate Music: Clouds In My Head

From the beginning of track three the staccato horns, sax riffs, and funk guitar set the pace for the lyrical groove about to follow between Attn: Def and Dirt Dee. The hook soon becomes infections; one you'll find yourself rapping to yourself on the bus long after the album stops playing. This is sure to be a live show regular.


For a great in-studio interview and performance check out these videos our good friend Ron dug up from this summer.









Don't forget (as if we'd let you):

Soulcrate Music

The Heartland Panic
In Stores 3/9/2010
Black Clover, distro by Fat Beats.


All Tracks Produced By: DJ Absolute
All Words By: Attn:Def & Dirt Dee


Supplemental Instrumentation:
Keys-Jonathon Hegg
Trombone-Joel Broveleit
Saxophone-Matt Wallace
Guitar-Xopher Smith
Vocals And Guitar-Nick Thomas

The 13 days of Soulcrate: Evil In It

Track two, isn't the typical song I think of when I think if Soulcrate Music. It's a little bit darker, and a little bit louder, but they took it there, and they killed it.

When I think of "The Heartland Panic" this song is just that. It's a soundtrack song, for driving late at night in the bitter cold playing loud. The drums, hit hard, and the bass line is strong. The layered vocals showcase just how A Def and Dirt Dee are a force in making music together.

This is one of those stand out tracks on the album, maybe not the party song or the single. But it has significance, it's that track that talks to you.

Soulcrate Music

The Heartland Panic

In Stores 3/9/2010

Black Clover, distro by Fat Beats.

All Tracks Produced By: DJ Absolute

All Words By: Attn:Def & Dirt Dee

Supplemental Instrumentation:

Keys-Jonathon Hegg

Trombone-Joel Broveleit

Saxophone-Matt Wallace

Guitar-Xopher Smith

Vocals And Guitar-Nick Thomas

The 13 Days of Soulcrate: Let It Shine

- artwork by the lovely Jamee


In anticipation of the new Soulcrate Music release, "The Heartland Panic," we at Lovefest will be posting our thoughts on and reviews of each track. Keep an eye on the site for the next thirteen days, a number appropriate for for the Black Clover family. One track will go up each day with the last day being dedicated to our over arching feelings on the record. We can't wait for you to hear this album and know you'll be just as blown away as we have.

It was no secret we were about to listen to something special when Jeremy Willis asked us to participate in the pre-listening, but when the introduction swelled and and the horns punched, special soon became an understatement. What a way to set the tone, gentlemen. This is one classy and sophisticated album as made apparent from the first track on.

Much like "Cardobard Intro," "Let It Shine" is a track you can see A Def and Dirt Dee making an entrance to. The production by DJ Absolute is musically thoughtful and the band incredibly in sync. This track is a statement as to what's to come, not only with the album but the artistic growth of Soulcrate Music.


And then THIS happened : )




Look for it:


Soulcrate Music
The Heartland Panic
In Stores 3/9/2010
Black Clover, distro by Fat Beats.


All Tracks Produced By: DJ Absolute

All Words By: Attn:Def & Dirt Dee

Supplemental Instrumentation:
Keys-Jonathon Hegg
Trombone-Joel Broveleit
Saxophone-Matt Wallace
Guitar-Xopher Smith
Vocals And Guitar-Nick Thomas

The Best Love is Free

Saturday February 13th

The Best Love is Free

A collective show put on by Death to the Static records and Hopefull Opus productions in Minneapolis MN, celebrating Valentines in a unusual manner....

This is how shows should be, for $8.00 at most you walked into a venue and were handed a mixtape of an assortment of artists spanning 32 tracks. Which was followed by music by a wide array of musicians including, DJ Bandage, Sector 7g, Silentarmy, Culture Cry Wolf, Kanser and ending the night with a DJ set by Mr. Dibbs.

To some this sounds like a lineup that may not mix well, and fan-bases that don't usually intertwine. But the night presented it self seamlessly and the entire place was dancing and having a good time.

Maybe it was the holiday spirit, maybe it was the free mixtape, maybe it was because the venue was packed with amazing talent and the music didn't stop all night. Between acts DJ Bandage kept the energy level high, and the people happy.

The high-point of the night was when Culture Cry Wolf took the stage, a mix of indie rap, ska, and punk with rapping over a live band brought the energy through the roof. The transition from Cultrure Cry, to Kanser was seamless and Zach and Unicus kept the energy high. I think each ended the night with new fans, these acts really do mix in the best sort of way.

Keep an eye out for more parties throw by Death to the Static, because this is the kind of event a rap show should be.

Kanser is celebrating the release of their new album "Two for One" at the Triple Rock Social Club this Friday the 26th and Culture Cry wolf is playing a Free show with Ecid and Reflection City at the 501 Club on Saturday the 27th. Both of these shows will be something you shouldn't miss.

Two for One

You don’t need to be from the Midwest to respect the work that Kanser puts out to the public, though they may reference it quit a bit. The new album from Minneapolis Hip Hop Heavyweights Big Zach (New MC) and Unicus, “Two for One,” is a different approach from past artistic processes. Big Zach's words are heard on the first set of six tracks while Unicus takes over the second set of seven


Alicia Steele is a welcomed addition to the group. Her crisp words and soulful melodies are featured first on the track “Son Don’t Remember” and trickle through the rest of the Big Zach tracks. Production on this half, marked by Big Jess and Baby Gracious, has a very personable vibe.

Natalie Fine is also making her mark on a Kanser album. She has long been part of More Than Lights, often heard on the festival circuit as well as blowing up Hip Hop concerts. Her voice lends a playful vibe to Unicus’ half. While Unicus touches on midwest subjects he stays true to the lighthearted island groove produced by Kahtra-Quey and the Goodfellas.

For a group that has been together for 15 years, these gentlemen are simply keeping it fun this go-around. Those of you lucky enough to live in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area do not want to miss the upcoming release party. “Two for One” will be celebrated at the Triplerock Social Club on Friday, February 26th. Good news for the young-ins, this will be an 18+ show.

For show info, copies of previous albumss, and all things Kanser, visit the Myspace for this DIY group.

We are the World

Hello Lovefesters


On what has become my typical weekend train ride commute between Portland and Seattle I got to thinking . . .


The world was witness to a terrible tragedy - the earthquake that struck Haiti. No one should ever have to go through such a devastating experience. With that being said, there were so many compassionate people that banded together to raise awareness. Some were celebrated, and some were poo-pooed. One effort should not be judged more over the other.


Some people thought the recent "We Are The World" recording was a mess, but look at it for what it is, all of those artist bringing attention to an issue we all need to band together on. How smart - they all have different fans that they are bringing awareness to through their music. Somehow they managed to find time in their busy lives to get into a studio in a short window of time. Good for them for taking a stand a making their fans aware. Sure, you wont find most of these artists on any other track together, but if you respect the work any one of them has done then respect the attention they are bringing to the cause. Put yourself in the shoes of the survivors - if there were people out there that could use their influence to bring awareness to your issue you would want them to. We are ignorant to think that a disaster as bad as Haiti could not happen to any other country, especially the developed world we in the US live in. Having seen families beaten down due to natural disasters I urge you to support the relief efforts in Hait.

To learn more and donate to the relief efforts in Haiti click below:


http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/

http://wearetheworldfoundation.org/

http://www.redcross.org/